STEEL

Well, I am building a stroker 383 for my 91 Camaro RS. I will be switching to a Edelbrock carb, installing a Summit Brand Cam with a .488 lift, with forged pistons, forged rods, and a cast crank in a mid 70's 4 bolt main block. I need to be able to run on pump gas, and I will be driving it on the street regularly. Short tube headers, 2 1/2 Y-pipe, and then a glass pack right off the Y-pipe.

The main goal is to create an engine I can build on, with 400+ horsepower when it goes in, then have it ready for NOS later in life.

Everyone says that in a 383 heads are very important to un-lock the full potential of the engine. I dont want to choke my engine, but I dont want to break the bank on heads. World Products Sportsman II Heads look like they would be decent to my un-educated self, is this correct?

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

They would support a 383.

Since there isn't any such thing as a "383 head", just get something that supports the flow you'll need.

You might want to consider GM Fast Burn heads.

Any particular reason you're using a cheap generic cam?

Ditto the carb. Yuck!

You don't build an engine for NA, then just spray it later. At least not any significant amount of spray. Cam and compression ratio are a couple of things that need consideration when you plan on nitrous.

2-1/2" y-pipe? Here you are worried about 383 heads, and you're going to use a y-pipe that can't support a healthy 305.

STEEL

This is my very first build, and I have very little money to work with. I will driving it around town, driving to school and work, and on the occasional date. Im 17 and cant afford all the best.

The cam, I did some research and it looks like a good cam, and if I determine it isnt good enough, I will upgrade later.

The carb, I want to run something with mechanical secondary's, but im scared to put a holly on there. I dont know if I would EVER get the thing tuned correctly, Im very new at this.

The exhaust is something I havnt a lot of thought yet. I would love to run long tubes and then bolt glass packs right up the header, but the tranny cross member is in the way. I have been told that if I dont want to notch my frame (Which, I dont, I am scared to attempt that) I would have to put a 90 degree bend into my headers then run a piece of pipe over to the other side of my car, then put a 90 degree there so I could just stick my glass pack right there, I dont think I could do that myself, and exhaust shops are saying that if could be expensive.

This is an engine to BUILD on. I dont need it to be insanely fast, just quicker than the ricers and the stangs.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Okay, I can appreciate the money thing. Been there, doing that.

So, since money is short, why put it into a 383 when you can't afford what it takes to support it? A much better use of your money would be to improve the support equipment (exhaust, for instance), which will make what you've got run better, and will be there when you can afford "the good stuff".

The Exhaust forum is the place to find info on what works in that department. Long tubes seem to be more trouble than they're worth, unless you're willing to give up money and ground clearance. A good system for the '86-'90 TPI single cat application will do just fine.

Holley being more difficult to tune than Holley is a complete myth. There are a lot more threads on the Carburetor forum about people that can't get their Edelbrock to run right, in spite of doing everything "right", than there are Holleys.

STEEL

I know what your saying about trying to improve what I have, but my 305 has bad rings, and the 350 rotating assembly I forced out of the engine was trash.

I am still young, and I think that a choked up 383 that I can keep building on is the way to go.

The holly vs eldlebrok thing AMAZES me. I plan on looking more into all that once I have a rotating assembly in place.

exhaust I will also research more when the time comes.

My only question was if they were good heads, or if I would be better off having my machinist clean up my 350 heads really nice then save up for some real high dollar stuff.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Depends upon what 350 heads they are. There is a bunch of junk out there, and a few that are worth doing something to. If you've got the casting #'s from the heads, we can go from there.

STEEL

I am not sure where to find the casting numbers. I did go and take some pictures, maybe these pictures can tell you something?

(Feels a little bit retarded)

I also took a picture of the top side of the heads, but it wont seem to send from my phone to my e-mail.... weird....

STEEL

izcain

the casting numbers will be located in between the springs there will be a series of numbers. Take a look again and just tell us all the numbers that are written anywhere on the head and im sure we can tell you something about them!

STEEL

888881 between the first set of springs, some of those might be nines though, then 0224

STEEL

After going back out, I think I might have these heads: 3998991

The valves are toast, so I would need new ones any way. Can I up size?

joshh44

haha im in the same situation. im building a 383 to replace my 305. i got the block all ready to get bored out.
im just stuck on the heads and cam combo. i wont be putting the engine till summer so ill be able to afford alittle more then you.
but since you beat me to posting another one of these. i found theses heads on jegs i might be planning on getting.
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...10002_72834_-1

are they way to much for a 383? if its not. what size of cam would i need for that head?
i dont want the pistions to hit the valves. so im kinda worryed about picking a cam. here is a cam that i thought it would work with the head. but it could be abit big. i no pretty little about cams.
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...0002_107392_-1
and here is the 2nd cam i found.
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...10002_64350_-1

by the way. we got like teh same engine block lol mine is a 1977 engine 4 bolt block

joshh44

sorry if i seem to take your post about your engine build away. i didnt want to make another thead with the same topic.
you can probably save money if you didnt get some of the forged parts.
and use that money for the exhaust.
you can get 383 engine kits that comes with pistions, rings, rods, crank, for under $1000. i have some websites saved underfavoites if you would like me to send you them if you would like to take a look. cheapest 383 kit i found was just under $700. and you have an option to choose if you want forged rods or pistions or crank.



im trying to build a 500 plus HP with my engine thats what my goal is for my engine build. i forgot to add that with my last post.

STEEL

Looks like mine is a 72 or 73, and my heads are big greasy door stops or some fancy boat anchors.

I think 220 is too big for a street car (But i dont know much) someone on here said that you dont want bigger than 200.

What are you doing with the car? I would love to hear all about it as it comes together.
----------
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevy...spagenameZWDVW

Stroker 383 kit, internally balanced, $800

EDIT: I find it entertaining that we are doing such simaler builds, and we have the same post count.

joshh44

my car im slowly going to build it for mostly drag.
so im trying to get as much hp out of the engine as i can before putting a supercharger on there. but thats like years and years down the road thats for sure before i add that.
so right now my car is parked for winter waiting for the new engine and all these other projects over winter to turn my car into what i would like it to be. but i should be mostly complete the car in 2009 or so. im just gunna be driving alittle bit on the streets this summer just to drive my camaro around town. i have a friend who has a 95' mustang. so me and him always play around when we drive togeather. tho my car cant keep up with his. so this summer it will be alittle different teehee.

do you have some photos of your camaro?? i would like to take a look and see what yours looks.

Codename 47

iTrader: (4)

I'd go with a set of vortec heads. You could find a used set for 200 to 300 bucks, and they will almost perform as well as Iron Eagles.

joshh44

haha same post count. i didnt even look at that.
and good pricing for the kit.
im getting pretty much what your getting for the forged parts but im getting a forged crank. i dont wanna chance in breaking it. cuz then that would suck. big time lol.
im also going to get some H-beam rods. and im not to sure about the pistions yet. eather forged or not. since im not using nos or any power adders i dont think i need to be using forged pistions. what size of carb you planning on useing?

Codename 47

iTrader: (4)

Chevy High Performance's 383 with vortec heads:

STEEL

I don't want to spam up a thread about heads with pictures, but I would LOVE to compare some pictures in another thread. I posted a few good ones of my car in this thread:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/cama...new-tires.html

Back onto topic, I am worried about vortec, the stuff about having to use specific intakes and stuff scares me....

These are the two heads im considering: http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...splayPrice%7C0

joshh44

have you thought about maybe making just a really good chevy 350? save you money for boring it out. and you dont have to worry as much in trying to find a set of heads that would be good for a 383 and save you some more money from buying the stroker kit. i wa sthinking you could buy a good set of heads insted of buying the stoker kit good exhaust. and anything else you can put on the engine to make 400hp. good cam as well.

just a thought. not trying to to convince you to chance your plan on your engine build.
thought it could save you some money.

STEEL

Yes, the thought has crossed my mind, but my 350 rotating assembly was all garbage any way, and it looks like its almost the same price for a 350 rotating assembly as it is for a 383!

now its down to

World Products Sportsman II Heads

OR

Dart Iron Eagle Platinum Cylinder Heads


Either one any good?

STEEL

Well, I just now realized these heads are sold individually. I hadnt figured that out.... Now that makes the idea of putting EITHER of these heads a "After I have the new engine in and running" item.

Looks like its time to go get some vortecs off e-bay.....

I feel kinda dumb....

Codename 47

iTrader: (4)

Those are also bare heads. You'd need to buy all the springs, valves and stuff.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

3998991 - about the only head out there worse than 882's.

Vortec-specific manifold is peanuts compared to a 383 stroker kit that needs balancing and external-balance damper and flexplate, and the clearancing needed on the block pan rails.

This kit makes the Vortec part easy: http://www.sdparts.com/product/SD806...RPMAirGap.aspx . $1084.95 plus shipping. Can't be beat, IMHO.

Could you provide more details on why you think the 350 rotating assembly is shot? If it really is, I'd be mighty suspicious of the block, too. To say nothing of the poor casting and machining quality rampant from the factory in that time period.

Codename 47

iTrader: (4)

That is a good deal 5-7, but if I were him, I'd try to find used parts. I bought a set of vortec heads from a guy who sells them locally. He gave me a warranty on them (if they were messed up he'd give me another set). They came with the valve covers, rockers and springs, but I replaced the springs with a "Z28 spring". I got them for 200 bucks. (Although they aren't machined to handle .575 lift like the ones you've pointed out) Then I bought a "Crosswind" intake which is a knock off of the Air Gap intake from Edelbrock. I think that was 150, but it might have been like 130. I can't remember.

STEEL, wherever you live, try and find a local racing forum. Here in Wisconsin we have WisconsinStreetDominators. Tons of guys who race at the local drag strips with lots of knowledge and experience. That way you can set up an in-state sale. Best of luck.
-Greg

joshh44

hey i like that pricing for the heads and intake. cant beat that forsure.
or find a set of used heads for sale and if they arnt in bad shape. clean em up. i think that heads and intake that five7 showed you is a pretty good deal. you should be in good shape for cash wise.
you have to buy 2 cyl heads. and pay shipping from that. and then the intake and shipping on that as well. and they may not even come with gaskets so you may have to buy thos as well. thats if you shopped around and bought them from different websites.
could try pricing it out and seeing what the total is.
have you done that? priced out how much your engine will cost to build??
i figured my engine should cost me about $6000 max. my goal is to try to keep it under 6 anyways. but you never know haha. im hoping under 5 grand, 4500 maybe...
so far you got $700 for the 383 kit. still have to get it bored out. not to sure how much that costs where you live. and lets say $1000 for the cyl heads and intake. you still got the carb. gaskets. camshaft. rockers, it adds up pretty quickly. not trying to chance your mind about the build. im just woundering if you figured out how much it will cost you to build. if you figured out how much its going to cost. try to keep it under what you think it will cost.

92Z28/RS

I run a set of Pro Action heads on my 383 with a 650 Quick Fuel mechanical secondary carb and I'm very happy. My car is fully dressed and street legal and runs 7:37 in the 1/8th and 11:54 in the 1/4

Good luck with your build

joshh44

how much hp and tq are you putting out??
my build i would love to make it into the 11s.

92Z28/RS

I'm not for sure how much HP or TQ I'm putting out never had it dyno; but I know what the time tickets are telling me

joshh44

thats awesome.
im debating on making a 383 or a 454 for mine. i just found a truck for sale that has a 454 so im debating on doing that swap insted of the 383.
tho i would love to have a 383 making as much power as a big block tho.

SteelTownMadDog

iTrader: (2)

If you're on a budget and still want decent power, you'd be hard press to find any better deal than Vortec heads for a 383. Here's a video of a 383 putting down 430 HP and 460 TQ with Vortec heads, Performer RPM type intake, a hyd flat tappet .500" lift cam, and a modified QJet carb; http://www.rbvracing.com/videos/June...oseDynoRun.wmv

I know because I shot that video last June, and those are my Vortec heads I traded with them for other parts last year.

Pennocks91ws6

forged pistons and a summit cam?on a budget?lol